Leonardtown, Md. – Commissioners of St. Mary’s County approved multiple grant applications and awards totaling more than $2 million during their August 19, 2025, business meeting, while delaying a public hearing on zoning changes and issuing proclamations for national observances. The actions, taken in the Chesapeake Building, focused on enhancing public safety, health services, infrastructure and community programs amid ongoing county priorities.
The meeting opened with an invocation and the pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. Items included appointing Ray Bivens to the 457(b) Governance Board and sending a letter to the Clerk of the Court requesting recordation of a $250,000 bond for George Erichsen, appointed as METCOM Treasurer.
Commissioners then presented proclamations recognizing National Aviation Day, National Black Business Month and Child Support Awareness Month. National Aviation Day highlights the county’s aviation heritage, centered on Naval Air Station Patuxent River, which serves as a key testing site for naval aircraft and employs thousands in defense-related roles. The base, established in 1943, contributes significantly to the local economy through research and development. National Black Business Month spotlights Black-owned enterprises in St. Mary’s County, where initiatives promote diversity in small businesses that drive community growth. Child Support Awareness Month emphasizes support for families, aligning with Maryland’s efforts to ensure financial stability for children through enforcement programs.
The sole main agenda item involved authorizing the Department of Land Use and Growth Management to postpone a public hearing from August 26, 2025, to September 9, 2025. The hearing addresses proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to allow Use Type 28, defined as Day Care, Non-Medical, in the Resource Conservation Area Critical Area Overlay District. The request originated from All Saints Church, with the delay stemming from issues with public notifications for the original date. The Resource Conservation Area overlay aims to protect sensitive environmental zones, such as those near waterways, while balancing community needs like child care facilities. St. Mary’s County’s zoning ordinance, updated periodically, regulates land use to preserve natural resources in areas vulnerable to development impacts.
During County Administrator Time, commissioners reviewed future agendas and approved several funding measures. They authorized the FY2026 Performance Incentive Grant Fund award of $185,688 for the Sheriff’s Office to cover costs of registered nurses implementing jail-based Medication for Opioid Use Disorder programs. This funding stems from Maryland’s Justice Reinvestment Act, aimed at reducing incarceration through treatment initiatives. Next, they approved the FY2026 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Grant application for $224,556 to fund a state-required social worker and peer recovery specialist at the Detention Center, plus a Part II award of $70,909 for additional nurse coverage. These efforts address substance abuse among inmates, supporting rehabilitation at the facility in Leonardtown.
Commissioners also greenlit the FY2026 School Resource Officer/Adequate Coverage Grant application for $196,906, with a county match of $172,702 already budgeted. The program places officers in schools to enhance safety, a initiative started in 1998 with dedicated personnel in high and middle schools across the county. They approved the FY2026 Gun Violence Reduction Grant award of $79,552 for the State’s Attorney’s Office, including a county match of $8,867, to bolster prosecution of gun-related crimes. Similar grants have funded technology upgrades and addressed rising firearm offenses in recent years.
Further approvals included a spending plan for the Maryland 9-1-1 Board Trust Fund totaling $951,900 for infrastructure, equipment, training and operational costs like phone systems and quality assurance. The FY2026 Waterway Improvement Fund Grant award was accepted for improvements at Wicomico Shores and Forest Landing public landings, involving railing, deck board and hardware replacements, part of a statewide allocation exceeding $20 million for boating access. Commissioners authorized a FY2027 application for $249,000 to repair St. George’s and Tall Timbers landings. These sites provide essential access for recreational boating in the county’s waterways.
Additionally, they accepted the FY2026 Developmental Disabilities Administration Grant award of $35,000 to supplement funding for Camp Discovery, a summer program for children with special needs. The final item approved a Community Parks and Playgrounds application and agreement with Leonardtown for a $300,000 grant toward a splash pad at Miedzinski Park, with remaining costs of $265,000 from Program Open Space and county funds. The five-acre park, established in 1975, features playgrounds and green spaces, and the splash pad will offer a smaller-scale water play area compared to Nicolet Park.
In Commissioner Time, Eric Colvin discussed the MACo Conference, back-to-school preparations and upcoming events. The meeting concluded with a closed session on personnel and litigation.
St. Mary’s County, with its commissioners overseeing a range of services from public safety to recreation, holds these meetings to manage local governance. The next session is set for August 26, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Chesapeake Building at 41770 Baldridge St. Decisions and documents are available via BoardDocs on the county website. Meetings air live on Channel 95 or online at www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.
